Tag North Texas Native Trees

Things To Consider for a Healthy Tree Environment

When selecting a new tree for your home or property there are several things you should consider; location, growth speed, maximum size, critical root zone, soil, light and shade, water, surrounding plants, evergreen vs deciduous, flower/fruit/seed production, native vs nativized, and source stock. Below are some guides to help you determine the best tree for your property and your needs.

Location

The location a tree will be planted will determine how big it can get. Take into account potential obstacles for growth, such as:

• Overhead utility lines
• Structures
• Underground irrigation or utility placement
• Drainage
• Soil composition
• Light availability
• Sidewalks, driveways, or other surface features
• Pools, septic tanks, or other in-ground features
• Planned construction or renovation

Growth Speed

Different tree species grow at different rates and faster isn’t always better. Growth speed can be related to age at planting as well as environmental factors.

Maximum Size

While it may vary, certain species of trees usually have a maximum and minimum expected height, as well as expected canopy spread. It is important to consider nearby buildings, signage, overhead utilities, and aesthetics when selecting a specific species of trees. It can be difficult and dangerous for the tree and for people to try to reduce the size of an already-mature tree. We do not recommend topping trees as a way to manage size.

Critical Root Zone

Related to the canopy spread, the critical root zone is the area around the base of a tree where vital underground roots are present. Both large, stabilizing roots and smaller feeder roots must be considered. Restricted root space or regular ground disturbance can stress a tree and cause premature failure.

Soil

Soil acidity, moisture, and composition determine what species can grow and thrive in North Texas. Much of soil found here is dense, alkaline clay. Trees that are not suited to this type of soil will not be able to get the required nutrients it needs and will eventually show signs of stress.

Light and Shade

Some trees are well-suited to the understory (beneath the top canopy), while other need full, all-day sun. Keep in mind that sunlight intensity and direction changes through the seasons, and can be affected by the growth of nearby plants, as well.

Water

Newly-planted trees need careful watering, but even established trees have a preferred level of soil moisture. Excessive soil moisture can help some species thrive, but contribute to disease in others. Consider where water pools during heavy rains, and where runoff goes when deciding where to plant your tree.

Surrounding Plants

Turf grass, other ground cover, and other plants contribute to the competition for water and nutrients in the soil. As a tree grows, it may cast different shade or cause surface distortions that affect surrounding plants.

Evergreen vs Deciduous

Deciduous trees that drop leaves every fall can feature fall color, but often create more leaf litter. Evergreen trees, whether broad-leafed or needle bearing do not drop all their leaves at once, but are generally the same shade of green throughout the year.

Flower, Fruit, and Seed Production

Spring blooms and seasonal fruit can attract birds and pollinators, contributing to the landscape’s beauty. Some types of flowers and fruit can cause concrete staining or be hazardous to pets.

Native vs Nativized

Native species generally do better than imported species, but there is a limited selection. Imported species can be adapted to climate and soil, and give a variety of size and foliage options, but may become invasive.

Source/Stock

Nursery stock from a specific tree farm or source can be prone to particular structural issues and diseases. If not cared for properly at the nursery, trees may need a long period of rehabilitation after planting. Selecting a larger tree over a smaller one is not always better.

While it may seem logical to plant the largest available specimen of a desired tree species, research has shown that planting smaller trees leads to more growth in the first year, and likely to better early establishment. Planting younger trees gives the tree owner more chances to provide the best care.

Tree Recommendations

We have a blog dedicated to helping you choose the best trees for North Texas.

Additional Resources

The Texas A&M Forest Service has published an online tree selector. On their website you are able to select a county and tree size for quick recommendations. In addition the International Society of Arboriculture offers user-friendly guidelines for choosing the right tree for your yard.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! We hope this blog on tree selection will help you choose the right tree for your home. We have additional resources on our North Texas Tree Owner’s Guide. If you would like immediate assistance with your trees please contact us today.

• Tree Selection
• Tree Planting
• Tree Care
• Common Tree Issues
• Getting Help with Your Trees

Live Oaks are native North Texas trees which makes them well adapted to the variety of soil types found here. Despite being acclimated to the soil systems here, live oaks can still be stressed by extreme weather. 

If it’s been more than 12-18 months since your last structural assessment by a certified arborist, now is the time to schedule. Preventative care is the best way to help protect your trees from limb failure from extreme weather.

Proper pruning minimizes the likelihood of limb breakage in moderate to heavy ice storms by improving the branching structure by properly distributing the added weight brought on by ice accumulating on the leaves and branches.

Live oaks are more prone to breakage during ice storms because they are evergreens which means they do not drop their leaves in the fall. Unlike other species, like pecan, they have more leaves on their branches and because of this the extra leaves provide more area coverage for water to collect and turn to ice (if cold enough) and create additional weight and stress, which can lead to limb breakage. 

In addition to proper pruning to prepare for ice storms we also recommend that prior to a huge drop in temperature to deeply water your tree if the soil does not have adequate soil moisture. If you are unsure if your soil has adequate moisture we have a video demonstrating how to check as well as proper watering techniques that can be found here.

Common signs of frost damage on a live oak are:

• Brown leaves
• Wilted leaves
• ‘Frost’ cracks on trunk and limbs

If your live oak is already stressed by drought, disease, or insect activity they may have a harder time recovering from freeze damage. Provide extra care to your tree in the years to come to help replenish stored energy that has been depleted due to stress. Mulch is a great way to help regulate temperature and add additional nutrients into the soil. Also, be patient, and closely monitor during the following spring and summer to assess next steps. 

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! The best care for your tree is preventative care. If its been more than 12-18 months since a certified arborist has done a structural assessment please contact us today.

The urban forest in North Texas has taken quite a beating over the past few years. From high winds and tornadoes in 2019 to freezes in 2021 and 2022, to varying drought conditions throughout, many trees have been damaged beyond saving. Now is the perfect time to start reforesting our community by planting hardy, long-lived trees that can thrive in our environment. Choosing the right tree to plant can be challenging, though. Many of the trees planted in recent decades are not well-suited or ideal for North Texas, and have had issues with diseases or pests, or have simply not lived as long as was hoped. Luckily, there are several types of trees in a range of sizes that can thrive here and provide years of beauty and enjoyment.

Small and Ornamental Trees

Smaller, decorative species may not be what first comes to mind when one thinks of trees, but there are several tree species that can do well in smaller yards or as part of more developed landscaping. Whether native or nativized, the trees on this list generally do not get bigger than about 25 feet and are a perfect choice when there is not a lot of room to spare. To see our previous list of top ten ornamental trees, visit this post.

• Texas Mountain Laurel
  • Drought- and frost-tolerant, the mountain laurel likes good drainage and has beautiful spring blossoms.
• Desert Willow
  • The desert willow is low-maintenance and loves full sun. Its summer flowers attract pollinators.
• Redbud
  • There are several cultivars of redbud that grow in North Texas, but keep an eye out for the Texas or Mexican redbuds, which are drought-tolerant.
• Fruit trees
  • Peach
  • Pomegranate
  • Persimmon
  • Purple-Leaf Plum

Medium-Sized Trees

If you have a little more room, but don’t want to plant a full-size canopy tree, there are several medium-sized options that can provide more shade and structure than smaller trees while still staying manageable when mature.

• Prairie (“Flameleaf”) Sumac
  • The prairie sumac is known for its brilliant red fall color and is a great native ornamental.
• Pistache
  • Most North Texas are familiar with the Chinese pistache, but there is a related Texas pistache that is a native option.
• Goldenrain Tree
  • Heat-, drought-, and poor soil tolerant, the goldenrain tree is not native to Texas, but can grow in a wide range of urban conditions.
• Yaupon
  • Sometimes seen as manicured hedges, the yaupon can naturally grow into a single- or multi-stemmed tree.

Large Trees

When most people think of a tree, this is what they picture. Growing to several stories high with a large canopy, full-size trees provide the most shade and structure and, if properly cared for, can live for decades. Large trees need a lot of room to grow, and are perfect for open yards.

• Pecan
  • The pecan is the state tree of Texas and thrives in our area. If you want to consume the nuts, be sure to keep an eye out for pecan phylloxera.
• Oak
  • While live oaks and red oaks are the most common species in North Texas, varieties like the bur oak and chinkapin are easy to find and can do very well in urban environments.
• Cedar elm
  • Cedar elm is the most common elm tree in Texas, and can be found all over the state. Cedar elms are known for their verticality and narrow canopy.
• Tulip tree
  • While tulip trees are not as common in Texas as other magnolias, they are heat- and soli-tolerant as well as pest-resistant.

Trees to Avoid in North Texas

Not all species of tree are well-suited to our local environment. While some of the trees listed below were popular in the past, they are not recommended if you are looking for a new tree to plant.

• Palm
  • Common in the southern and coastal parts of Texas, palms are not suited to North Texas soil or temperature swings.
• River birch
  • The river birch is not drought-tolerant, and most urban areas do not have high enough soil moisture for river birches to thrive.
• Bradford pear
  • The Bradford pear was once a very common landscape tree in North Texas, but many Bradford pears in the area are reaching the end of their 30-year life span, and starting to fail. Additionally, Bradford pears are prone to poor, overcrowded limb structure, which makes them more likely to split.

Whatever trees you choose, it is critical to plant at the right time and in the right way. The winter and early spring are the best times to plant, as the stress of summer heat can hit new trees hard. Proper watering is key to helping a newly-planted tree get established. Using mulch around the root zone is the best way to control soil moisture and temperature and provide organic material for soil health. In some cases, fertilization and soil amendments can be beneficial, but it is important to avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that can stimulate unsustainable new growth.

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our community! While we don’t sell or plant trees ourselves, our ISA Certified Arborists and ISA Board Certified Master Arborists are happy to provide consultations for tree selection, placement, planting and care, and even to accompany you to a nursery to find the best stock! Contact us today to find out more!

Another installment in our series of posts where Texas Tree Surgeons answers your tree questions. Are you having problems with your trees and want to know what’s wrong? Let us know!

Are pecan trees native to Texas? How many recognized types of pecan tree are there?

Pecans are a fairly common sight in North Texas, and are often overlooked (except by squirrels!). However, the pecan is a hardy and versatile tree that is not only native to much of Texas, but is our state tree!

The pecan tree (Carya illinoinensis), a species of hickory, originated in the central United States, and originally ranged from the Mississippi River in the east to Central Texas in the West and Illinois in the north to Mexico in the south. Georgia, the United States’ number one producer of pecans, is not their native home, and didn’t even have pecan trees until a few hundred years ago! Areas outside the US have become home to pecan production as well.

While there are over 1,000 different types and breeds of pecan tree, both natural and cultivated, there are only 18 varieties that are recommended for planting in Texas. Varieties well-suited for North Texas include the Choctaw, Forkert, Cape Fear, and Kiowa. Pecans are valued both for fruit production and as shade trees, and are drought-resistant. Different cultivars do better in different areas of Texas, but all of the state can grow pecans. While you can start a pecan tree from a nut, it may be better to find a grafted variety if you are looking for a particular quality.

Whatever the type of pecan, there are several environmental and pest issues that are commonly seen. Poorly-drained or shallow soil can hinder a pecan’s growth. Pecans are also susceptible to a particular form of root rot as well as the pecan phylloxera insect. If you want to maximize nut production, taking a little extra care with fertilization and some preventative treatment can help greatly. Your local Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Office has great resources for pecan growers. Of course, consulting a certified arborist is always a good place to start to learn more about how to care for your trees!

While not as easy to sprout as acorns, you can grow your own tree from a pecan!

At Texas Tree Surgeons, we love trees and we love our customers! Whether you have established pecan trees or are looking for information on how to start growing some, we can help. We offer comprehensive plant health care programs as well as maintenance and restorative trimming to keep your trees safe and healthy. Contact us today to talk with a certified arborist about your needs!